The Brain Tumor / Neuroengineering Research Groups, led by Principal Investigators, John S. Kuo MD PhD and Benjamin J. Umlauf, PhD, focus on developing novel therapies for brain tumors. Currently, we are pursuing research to improve outcomes for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive and malignant brain cancer associated with less than 2 years survival after diagnosis. We isolate and study therapeutically resistant GBM cancer stem cells (GSC) hypothesized to drive cancer growth and recurrence after standard treatments. We develop and use many techniques to understand and study the molecular biology of GSC and also elucidate clinically relevant biomarkers by comparing with studies on normal brain cells, and brain stem cells. We also use animal tumor models and clinically annotated tumor tissue microarrays to test and validate new therapeutic strategies, cancer targeting agents. From our studies, we aim to develop CSC-targeted therapies to enhance and synergize with current brain tumor treatments, ultimately improving patient outcome for deadly GBM.  We also have new projects to advance the treatment of cancers that metastasize to the brain, using immunotherapy and new cancer targeting strategies. Consider making a gift to support our research. For more information, please visit our Research Group and Publications pages.